A liberal application of CBD will also ensure that topical CBD reaches cannabinoid receptors through the pores of the skin. In contrast, transdermal products deliver CBD in a way that penetrates the upper barriers of the skin and reaches the bloodstream. Animal studies have shown that CBD administered as a transdermal gel reaches the bloodstream and increases plasma levels of the cannabinoid. Nowadays, over-the-counter gels containing CBD are sold everywhere.
Do these products offer any benefits for the health of your skin? The answer, so far, is yes. Recent studies in rats suggest that transdermal CBD has beneficial anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. If this is also true for humans, CBD ointments should provide relief to people suffering from dermatitis (eczema), rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Applying CBD to the skin of mice increased proliferation and wound repair chemicals in keratinocytes, which are the epidermal cell that produces keratin.
The authors concluded that their results support the use of topical CBD for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and keratin disorders, as well as to improve wound healing. So can CBD cross the skin and reach the blood? Yes. A much more important question is whether you can reach an adequate level in your blood to affect brain function. Once CBD is absorbed into the blood, it will first be distributed to body fat.
Therefore, for most large adults who carry extra body fat, the amount of CBD that enters the blood will be rapidly absorbed into the fat and not into the brain. Therefore, you may need to apply a lot of gel. Current treatments for arthritis often have side effects attributable to the active compounds, as well as to the route of administration. Cannabidiol (CBD) attenuates inflammation and pain without side effects, but CBD is hydrophobic and has poor oral bioavailability.
Topical drug application avoids gastrointestinal administration, first-pass metabolism and provides more consistent plasma levels.
